PGCC has new men's soccer coach

Ibarra takes over program as longtime coach Todaro steps down

The Prince George's Community College men's soccer team will have a new coach for the first time in 15 years when the 2010 season starts on Aug. 27 against Northern Virginia Community College. Richard Todaro resigned because of personal reasons on July 27 and assistant coach Willie Ibarra was named the interim coach.

Ibarra attended PGCC in 1985-86 and has coached soccer in Prince George's and Howard counties. He inherits a program that has become a perennial contender in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III. The Owls finished seventh in the nation last season and advanced to the national semifinals in 1999.

Ibarra said the transition between coaches should be easier because of the year he spent as an assistant under Todaro.

"[Todaro] and I were like peanut butter and jelly last year," Ibarra said. "We have known each other for several years and our coaching philosophies are very similar. We can pretty much pick up right where we left off last season. I think my track record speaks for itself and I am looking forward to starting a brand new year."

Ibarra coached at Gwynn Park, Mount Hebron and River Hill while teaching Spanish in the Howard County School system. He left teaching and coaching in 2005 to become a real estate broker. He also continued his coaching development, earning his United States Soccer Federation A License, the top level of coaching certification in the U.S. He also took a 10-day coaching tour to the Netherlands in 2007 before he returned to coaching in 2009 with the Owls.

The time away for Ibarra also gave him a chance to coach his three children. Although taking over at PGCC is more time-consuming, Ibarra said it won't affect his career or time with his family.

"The soccer field is my sanctuary and is a complete stress reliever for me," he said. "I have stayed engaged with the game and have learned a lot from a lot of great coaches. My whole thing is about preparation and making the practices harder than the games."

Ibarra will get some help from Todaro, who said he plans on taking a background role with the soccer program. Todaro also said he will help out women's coach Matt Geier and remain active in recruiting for both programs.

Todaro, who finishes his PGCC coaching career with a 169-72-11 record, said taking a step back from the sidelines was the right decision, but that doesn't mean the decision was an easy one.

"If I could just practice and do the games, then I would stay," Todaro said. "But coaching the team is a whole year thing and it's a way of life. It is such a commitment, and I am the type of person that is all in or out. I had been looking for a replacement since 2002, and I brought Willie in hoping that he could take things over. But I really enjoyed my time and enjoyed just kicking the ball around. I also enjoyed the winning."